INSPIRATIONAL 11-year-old Max Chant completed 25 miles of the White Horse Challenge on Sunday to raise money for the charity that saved his life.

Max and his little sister Emmy were airlifted to Bristol Children’s Hospital by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in May last year with a broken back and collarbone following a car crash near Yatton Keynell.

To say thank you just half a year after getting rid of the rods and screws holding his back together, Max, and nine of his friends, have completed 25 miles of walking, partly in torrential rain.

His mother, Sadia Chant, of Ashe Crescent, said: “It took hours but the boys were so amazing, they should be very proud of themselves, it was a very tough walk.

“The rain came at us at Cherhill and it was coming in sideways. They hit a brick wall at 22 miles but in spite of that they carried on going.

“This is Max’s way of giving back. He feels so pleased and proud of the fact he finished it, everyone in that team has helped to raise money which can be given to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

“I was incredibly emotional, others who had finished before him were cheering him on and taking photos.”

Max and his friends have been training every Saturday morning since March to prepare them for the challenge and the Hardenhuish pupil has even managed to restart some of his Tae Kwon Do and swimming activities.

His family also got involved with Mrs Chant completing all 52 miles of the challenge while Emmy and Dad, Jake, completing the seven miles family challenge.

The JustGiving page which is raising money for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in support of Max’s achievements as already surpassed the £6850 needed to run the charity for a single day.

The challenge, now in its tenth year, has raised £110,000 for WAA since its inception.

It is organised by Wiltshire businesses Monahans Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers, Rygor Commercials and Rocking Horse Nursery.

Participants can complete a variety of challenges, from the full 52 mile walk around Wiltshire's many white horse chalk figures, to the more relaxing family walk around a seven-mile route.

Those taking on the full challenge, over two days, set off from Devizes Millennium White Horse on Saturday morning and visited those at Alton Barnes, Pewsey, Marlborough, Hackpen, Broad Town and Cherhill.

Organiser Zoe Meaden, from Monahans solicitors, said: “It was a really fantastic event and there was a great team atmosphere. We had over 100 people take part and it is wonderful that we have teams come back and take part year after year.

“The sunshine on Saturday meant it was a bit of a struggle for some people so fortunately Sunday was a much fresher day for everyone."

Donations in support of Max Chant can be made at www.justgiving.com/backontrack-maxchant/